Mathematics 2011-2012

Department of Mathematics

Location: 200 Lucas Building, Phone: 409.880.8792

Chair: Paul Chiou (Interim)

Except for one's native language, mathematics is central to more fields than any other discipline. Whether you study computer science, economics, engineering, science, social sciences, or the liberal arts, mathematics is the language for any educated person. The Department of Mathematics offers a full range of courses in applied and pure mathematics, mathematics education for elementary and secondary school certification, and statistics. All departmental courses are taught with the goal of transforming students' thinking and imagination. Core courses are designed to empower mathematics majors to handle situations in industry, graduate school, education or other areas they may choose to pursue. Our professors are passionate about both teaching and research. As a result, mathematics majors not only find teachers who are thoughtful and caring, but they also find professors who are active researchers and seek to engage majors in research opportunities and research seminars.

All mathematics degree programs give mathematics majors and minors the flexibility to select courses suited to a variety of interests and career goals. Advising plays an integral role in achieving these objectives. Consequently, all mathematics majors are assigned an advisor to assist with scheduling and career planning throughout their undergraduate years.

The department offers the following B.A., B.S., and ancillary programs:

All degrees emphasize traditional mathematics, both as a basic science and as the major tool in solving problems, and include a range of electives tailored to meet the needs of the individual student. Careers such as cryptology, actuarial science, biomathematics, mathematical finance and university research are open to our graduates because of a proper selection of courses and research opportunities.

In the twenty-first century, mathematics finds itself in an enviable position. Our culture is discovering the power and the beauty of mathematics. Many exciting areas of mathematics are interdisciplinary. The study of knot theory has found applications in the study of DNA. Number theory, an esoteric study until recent times, finds application in cryptology, a field essential to national security. The young professors who have recently joined the department, along with the department's established faculty, are able to offer possibilities in these new, exciting areas of mathematics.

Graduate

Master of Science (Thesis option) -24 hours of course work and 6 hours of thesis

Master of Science (Non-Thesis option) -36 hours of course work

Suggested Programs of Study

A minor or double major in mathematics can considerably enhance the undergraduate experience for a variety of students, strengthen their resumes, and lead to more satisfying careers. Students are encouraged to seek advice from math faculty early in their decision-making stages. For students who wish to pursue a baccalaureate degree in mathematics, the department offers six tracks. Among these tracks, the Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics-General Track allows the maximum flexibility for both the general electives and the mathematics electives, while the language and the minor requirements of this degree ensure a well-rounded education. The Bachelor of Arts Teaching Certification Track is specifically designed for those planning to teach mathematics at the secondary (high school) level. The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics-General Track allows maximum flexibility within the mathematics electives. The Pure Mathematics Track is intended for those considering the possibility of attending graduate school in a foundational area of mathematics. The Applied Mathematics Track leads to applications of computation to design, simulation, planning, control, and analysis of scientific, engineering, and medical phenomena. The Statistics Track leads to careers in data analysis and quality control related to engineering, economics, marketing, pharmaceuticals, and ecology. Students with any of the B.S. or

Students who score less than 200 on the mathematics portion of the THEA must begin in DMTH 0071. Students who score from 200 to 239 must begin in DMTH 0371. Students who score from 240 to 269 must begin in DMTH 0372. Students scoring at least 270 should not start in a DMTH course, but should choose the appropriate MATH course. For more information on Developmental courses, see section 3.7

Mathematics Teaching Certification

Students who wish to earn an initial secondary teaching certificate, with a teaching field in mathematics, should consult the entry of the College of Education, section 10, for details concerning certification.

Post-Baccalaureate Specialization in Mathematics

This program is available to students who already have a baccalaureate degree in a field other than mathematics but wish to obtain teacher certification in mathematics. The student must complete the following courses for the:

Students are encouraged to contact the Mathematics Department early to design plans that suits their interests. A wide variety of choices is available. Examples of possible Minor plans and their areas of concentration are as follows:

Double (Second) Major in Mathematics

Students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in a mathematically compatible field may opt to pursue a double major in mathematics. A double major in mathematics requires 30 hours of mathematics (23 hours of core courses and 7 hours from Math 2415 or Mathematics Electives Courses as listed below). In addition, students must satisfy the 3 hours of computer science requirement.

Minimum Degree Requirements

Philosophy of Knowledge Core Curriculum Requirement

See section 6.4.1 for the requirements related to courses in philosophy, humanities, composition, literature, communication, history, fine arts, political science, social science, and physical education. The total number of hours required is 48, of which six hours is in mathematics and eight hours is in lab science as listed below. For the Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics (General or Teacher Certification Track), the communication requirement is to be filled by Spanish 1311, German 1311, French 1311, or American Sign Language CMDS 2375. Certain elementary math courses that satisfy the Core Curriculum Requirement do not count toward a degree in mathematics.

Minimum Grade Requirement

Students must earn a grade of C or better in each mathematics course for it to be counted toward any degree or credential offered by the department. The same requirement is applied to any transfer credit. The prerequisites of any course or external exam must also be satisfied with a grade of C or better. The terms "completion", "satisfactory completion", "to have credit for", and similar expressions refer to a minimum grade of C. Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.00 or better within each component (major, minor, concentration, second major, or specialization) of their degree plans.

Lab Science (Lab Sci) Requirement

Students graduating with a baccalaureate degree in mathematics are required to take 8 hours of sequential lab science courses chosen from BIOL 1406 and 1407, CHEM 1411 and 1412, GEOL 1403 and 1404, or PHYS 2425 and 2426. This requirement is listed as Lab Sci in the standard curriculum for B.S. and B.A. degree programs below.

Computer Science (COSC) Requirement

Students graduating with a baccalaureate degree or a second major in mathematics are required to take at least one programming course chosen from COSC 1336, COSC 1337, or COSC 3306. This requirement is listed as COSC in the standard curriculum for B.S. and B.A. degree programs. COSC 3306 is recommended for majors who have considerable programming experience. COSC 1336 requires COSC 1173 as a corequisite. Students who pursue a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics are encouraged to consider more advanced computer programming courses. Students who are considering mathematics courses with a programming component (such as MATH 3321 or 4315) are encouraged to contact the instructor of the course in advance. Students seeking a double major in math whose original department has a computer science requirement different from the courses listed above may submit a request to the Chair for a waiver.

Minor or Concentration Requirement

Students who pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics must choose a minor department in consultation with their advisor. Those who pursue Teacher Certification will have pedagogy as their minor. Students who pursue a B.S. degree may choose a coherent group of courses from several departments as their concentration or professional area in consultation with their advisor. A minor or concentration requires a minimum of 21 hours, of which 9 hours must be at junior or senior level.

General Electives Requirement

Students who pursue a B.S. degree have 12 hours of general electives while the students who pursue a B.A. degree have 6 hours of general electives. Students select these courses in consultation with their advisors.

Mathematics Core Requirement

All B.S. and B.A. degrees in mathematics require satisfactory completion of the following courses (23 hours). Of these, 6 hours may be counted toward the Philosophy of Knowledge Core Curriculum Requirement, while the other 17 hours are noted as Mathematics Core Requirement in each degree plan.

Math 2318 − Linear Algebra I

Math 2413 − Calculus I

Math 2414 − Calculus II

Math 3322 − Introduction to Advanced Mathematics

Math 3350 − Abstract Algebra I

Math 3370 − Introduction to the Theory of Statistical Inference

Math 3380 − Analysis I

Mathematics Electives Requirement

Students who pursue a degree in mathematics have a certain number of hours of mathematics electives from specified areas depending on their chosen track. The approved electives are listed below.

B.A. (General Track) has nine hours of math electives from any area.
B.A. (Teacher Certification) has no math electives.
B.S. (General Track) has 15 hours of math electives from any area.
B.S. (Pure Math Track) has three hours of math electives from any area.
B.S. (Applied Math Track) has 18 hours of math electives from applied math or statistics areas, 4310 or 4330. At least nine hours must be in applied math area.
B.S. (Statistics Track) has 9 hours of math electives from applied math area, 2415 or 4330.

The following is the list of approved electives for B.S., B.A. (General Track) and Double/Second Major in mathematics.

National Exam Requirement

Students graduating with a baccalaureate degree or a double major in mathematics are required to take a national standardized examination. The exam currently being used is the Educational Testing Service Major Field Test in Mathematics. The test results should be sent directly from the testing service to the Mathematics Department of Lamar University. Students must take the exam during the semester in which they complete the Mathematics Core Requirement.

Graduate Program

The Department of Mathematics offers a program of study leading to the Master of Science degree in Mathematics. It is designed to train students either for a professionally oriented career in industry or in government, for further graduate work in mathematics, or to provide depth and breadth in Mathematics Education.

Opportunities in the areas listed above for students with a Master of Science in Mathematics, are numerous. Such opportunities exist in all areas of applied mathematics including computer science, statistics, operations research, numerical analysis, mathematical physics, administration/management science, engineering, secondary and elementary school teaching. These supporting areas are just a sample of excellent job opportunities for the graduate.

The department spends considerable time advising students in the Master's program. Once a student is admitted, the student's advisor will individually tailor the student's program to meet the needs of the supporting areas mentioned above or other areas of interest to the student. Consequently, students with a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering, any of the sciences or Secondary Education will find appropriate opportunities in this M.S. program. Students will find a wide variety of courses listed in the program to make the above supporting areas available to them.

Those seeking admission to this program must satisfy the requirements as indicated below:

Admission to the Program

In order to be admitted to the Graduate Degree Program, a student must:

Meet the general requirements as set forth in this catalog for admission to Lamar Graduate School.

Have a bachelor's degree from an institution approved by a recognized accrediting agency.

Meet the standards of a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the last sixty hours of undergraduate work and a minimum GRE combined score of 950.

Successfully complete no fewer than 27 semester hours of undergraduate mathematics including courses equivalent or comparable to the following: abstract algebra, analysis, differential equations, linear algebra and statistics, 12 hours of which must be at the junior and/or senior level. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may be required to make up such deficiencies as prescribed by the department. A GPA of 3.0 for assigned deficiency/leveling courses must be maintained and grades below "C" will not be accepted.

Final approval as to what course work is acceptable toward admission to the graduate degree program lies with the graduate advisor and the department head. A student may be admitted conditionally to the graduate degree program, but is required to remove any deficiencies in undergraduate mathematics.